Click on a heading below to find out more information about services at McMaster University!

Applying to university can be an intimidating process, and although it the environment can be more independent than high school, there are many supports available for students in university. In order to stay up to date with all that is available at McMaster university, and recieve information on how to apply to university and the next steps to take after applying, visit the McMaster University Future Students Blog.

If you are currently enrolled in a high school in Ontario and expect to receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma at the end of the current year, click here for information on how to apply via the Ontario University Application Centre website. For further assistance contact your secondary school's guidance counsellor.

If you are not currently enrolled in a high school in Ontario and wish to pursue an undergraduate degree click here

For many current and future students, the cost to attend university is a primary concern. Costs may vary due to several factors, such as whether you live on or off campus, however click here for a general budget of a McMaster University student. For further information on financial aid and scholarship information, click here.

Click here for directions to McMaster University.

Supports available to McMaster University students include access to  Ombuds Office, the Office of Academic Integrity, and Human Rights and Equity Services.

OMBUDS

The Ombuds office is a free of charge service available to all members of the McMaster community. Students may access the Ombuds services regarding academic or non-academic problems.  the Ombuds is available to handle university related complaints, particularly those that have not already been addressed. 

If you are a student in need of impartial, informal dispute resolution and support regarding an academic or non-academic issue contact the Ombuds Office located in the McMaster University Student Centre Room 210 by telephone at: (905) 525-9140 ext. 2415 or by email at ombuds@mcmaster.ca.  

The Ombuds will not identify you or act on your behalf without your knowledge and permission unless it is required by law as Ombuds are required  by law to protect the physical safety of the public and their clients.  

Office of Academic Integrity

The Office of Academic Integrity assists instructors and students with issues of academic integrity.

McMaster University's Academic Integrity Policy defines academic dishonesty as the following:

Section 17: Academic Dishonesty is to knowingly act or fail to act in a way that results of could result in unearned academic credit of advantage.  

Where ever in this Policy an offence is described as depending on "knowingly," the offense is deemed to have been committed if the person ought to have reasonably known.  

If an instructor suspects that you have committed academic dishonesty, s/he is expected to contact you to discuss the issue(s) and provide you with a fair opportunity to answer the charge.  This is your opportunity to provide an explanation.  If there has been a misunderstanding or the instructor has the facts wrong, you should gather and present whatever evidence exists to show this to the instructor. 

To view McMaster University's Academic Integrity Policy click here.

For more information on academic integrity and to obtain the student's guide to academic dishonesty hearings, click here.  

Human Rights and Equity

The Human Rights and Equity Services are available to all members of McMaster's community.  The Human Rights and Equity services actively promotes an environment free of sexism, racism, heterosexism, discrimination against people witih disabilities and all other forms of harassment and discrimination.  The Human Rights and Equity Services provides many services including: Consultation and Advice, Awareness and Education, Resolution of Complaints, and a Positive Space program that identifies safe spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students on campus.  

Human Rights and Equity Services is located in the McMaster University Student Centre Room 212. Office hours are 9am-5pm.   For more information or to speak with a representative email: hres@mcmaster.ca or telephone (905) 525-9140 ext.27581   

Chaplaincy

The McMaster University Chaplaincy Centre has an open door policy and offers responsive pastoral support to the whole community with personal counselling, bereavement support groups, public memorial services, and participation in McMaster University networks and programs. For more information on the services offered by the McMaster University Chaplaincy Centre click here.

McMasters Health Care Team Provides:

Health Care Services

• medical assessment and treatment of your illness or injury
• annual health exam
• allergy injections and immunizations
• dressing changes and sutures removal
• lab testing at our onsite laboratory
• referral to specialists, as required

You can receive counselling and services related to:

• tobacco and drug awareness
• sexuality choices
• birth control options
• emergency contraception pill
• pregnancy testing
• screening for sexually transmitted infections
• HIV prevention, testing and counselling
• nutrition and weight management

Campus Health is located in the basement of the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) Room B106 and B101 and is open all year round Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30 pm. During academic peak times Campus Health is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-8:30pm.  After hours students may receive care from the Physician Replacement Group by calling (905)574-2777 and identify that you are a McMaster Student. Campus health can be contacted by telephone at (905)525-9140 ext 27700

Mental Health Services

McMaster University Counselling and Mental Health Services for Students:

The Centre for Student Development provides confidential, brief counselling for both personal and academic concerns.  Services include individual appointments, walk-in consultations, psycho-educational programming, a learning lab, and services related to physical or learning disabilities.  Referral to appropriate community resources, medical care and psychiatry will occur when needed. The Centre for Student Development is located in the basement of the McMaster University Student Centre (Room B107) and can be contacted by telephone at: (905)525-9140 ext. 24711, by teletypewriter (TTY) at (905)528-3749 or by email at csd@mcmaster.ca

Campus Health Centre is the medical clinic on campus. . The Centre is staffed by several family physicians each day as well as nurses and other support staff.  Medical specialities available to support mental health services include naturopathic therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy and psychiatry .  All physicians are available for counselling and prescribing of medications for mental illness.  Referral to counselling services, community services, medical specialists and psychiatry are some of the options available for ongoing care.

Psychiatry services are provided at Campus Health by referral from a family physician for consultation and ongoing care as required.  The Mental Health Team Nurse coordinates the combined services provided by the psychiatrist, medical doctors and counsellors of Centre for Student Development.

McMaster Students' Union (MSU)

The McMaster Students Union (MSU) is the largest student organization on campus. All full-time undergraduate students at McMaster University are members of the MSU. The McMaster Students Union serves students in two main areas; political representation and the enhancement of student life. We provide political representation and advocate for decisions that are in students’ best interests at the university, municipal, provincial and federal levels.

We also offer many of the student services that you will use during your time at McMaster. You might get to know us through Welcome Week, visiting the Compass Information Centre, our funding and assistance of more than 250 clubs on campus, or as a major partner in the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC). You may even come and work for us.  The MSU employs more than 350 students each year to run committees, student services and work at our businesses, such as the Union Market convenience store, our restaurant & bar TwelvEighty, as well as Underground Media & Design. We also provide health and dental plan coverage and a universal bus pass with the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) bus pass program.

The MSU maintains 35 business and services to enhance student life on campus.  For a complete list, please visit our website.

Mac Bread Bin

Started in the fall of 2005, the Bread Bin offers emergency food and supply rations to students in need. Mac Bread Bin also facilitates the Good Food Box program, giving students the opportunity to purchase local produce at a great price. The on-campus food bank operates on a strictly confidential basis. For more information,contact the Mac Bread Bin at extension 27685.

The CLAY conference is held annually in May and hosts high school students from across the province and beyond.  CLAY is designed to foster youth engagement, and teach leadership and life skills.  CLAY relies on many undergraduate volunteers to lead teams, coordinate programming and supervise the four day, three night conference. For more information, or to contact the CLAY coordinator, please email clay@msu.mcmaster.ca.

Diversity Services

Diversity Services strives to build and maintain a campus that celebrates, advocates and ensures inclusiveness in areas such as ethnicity and culture, faith and spirituality, gender equity, ability/disability and sexual orientation. We are always looking for volunteers! Please contact the Director of Diversity Services at ext. 26603 or diversity@msu.mcmaster.ca. Be on the lookout for an exciting array of activities for the 2010-2011 academic year!

Emergency First Response Team (EFRT)

EFRT is a group of highly trained student volunteers who respond to all medical emergencies on campus, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  In an emergency, dial "88" from any campus phone to dispatch the team. For information on first aid courses or to join the team, visit the EFRT website at www.msu.mcmaster.ca/efrt, or call our non-emergency line at ext. 24117.

First Year Council

If you are entering your first year at McMaster, the First Year Council (FYC) is a chance to jump right in and get involved. The McMaster Students Union First Year Council is made up of first year students interested in volunteering to create events and programs for first year students and providing feedback and recommendations on how to improve student life at McMaster. For further information email fyc@msu.mcmaster.ca or vped@msu.mcmaster.ca, or call ext. 27202.

Fundraising Initiative Team (FIT)

FIT aims to organize and execute successful fundraising operations for various charities and causes such as Shinerama, The Terry Fox Foundation, Mac Fights AIDS and Poverty, The Canadian Cancer Society and many more. Monies raised through these events benefit research, children, and people in the community alike. The FIT also helps other student groups and clubs run successful fundraising campaigns and offer various resources and services which make fundraising efforts more effective. Please email fit@msu.mcmaster.ca for more information, or phone extension 26575.

Horizons

The MSU Horizon’s conference happens each August to welcome incoming first year students.  The multi-day schedule works on McMaster orientation, as well as leadership training and social programming. For upper year students, Horizon’s offers fantastic volunteer opportunities. For more information, please contact the Horizons director at horizons@msu.mcmaster.ca.

Queer Students Community Centre (QSCC)

QSCC is a service that acts as a safe space, contact point and resource centre for the McMaster and Hamilton GLBT community.  General discussion and coming out groups are offered. Also available are private counseling sessions, a resource library and anti-homophobia workshops (MUSC 221 ext. 27397).

Student Community Support Network (SCSN)

The SCSN is here to support students in the Hamilton community. We can answer questions about a housing situation, the MSU, the City of Hamilton, or the community in general.  We also offer the Community Resource Assistant program as a service for off-campus students.  You can also find the SCSN helping out at various community events and meetings, promoting students and the MSU. We offer great volunteer opportunities to students who are looking to get involved with their community, which include writing articles for our newsletter and volunteering with a senior resident in your neighbourhood.  Contact the SCSN Director at scsn@msu.mcmaster.ca, or visit the SCSN office in the basement of the Student Centre, MUSC B108, ext. 26575.

MSU Child Care Centre

The McMaster Students Union Child Care Centre is a non-profit service, which has provided educational Child Care for children of the McMaster student community as well as the community at large for the past 35 years.  The Child Care Centre provides high quality educational childcare to enrich all aspects of development in a safe, healthy, loving, inclusive environment.  Programming is implemented by qualified Early Childhood Educators to foster creativity, independence, self-esteem, motor and cognitive skills, communication and respect for others. Program Features: Eclectic child-focused curriculum, nutritious hot lunch and snacks, Raising the Bar participants, Subsidy Contract, family events, field trips and visitors, as well as the Summer Day Camp Program. 

Student Health Education Centre (SHEC)

Need someone to talk to, or some information on issues such as substance abuse, nutrition, relationships, sexual assault, STIs (sexually transmitted infections), stress, sexuality or body image? Our trained peer counsellors are available in SHEC, located in MUSC 202. Free condoms and pregnancy tests are also available. You can just walk right in or give us a call at ext. 22041.

Student Walk Home Attendant Team (SWHAT)

You don’t ever have to walk home alone at night thanks to these volunteers who will escort you anywhere on campus and to many nearby places off campus. SWHAT will even ride the bus with you if so desired.  All campus phones have a free direct line to SWHAT. Volunteers are always welcome.   We are located on the second floor of the Student Centre and can be reached at ext. 27500.

MSU Clubs

With more than 260 clubs on campus, there is sure to be something for everyone.  To see a detailed listing of the clubs supported by the MSU, visit the clubs section of our website.  Clubs work closely with the Clubs Administrator, who answers questions, provides support and assists in clubs’ activities.  The MSU provides MSU Clubs with meeting space on campus in the Club Space located in MUSC 215. Contact the Clubs Administrator at 905-525-9140, ext. 24113 for more information regarding all Clubs related queries.

Watch for ClubsFest during Welcome Week and again in the New Year. This event showcases more than 300 on and off campus groups, looking for new members and offering social events. The McMaster Students Union supports clubs in a five distinct areas of interest ranging from social issues, recreational sport, cultural, religious and academic. Visit the clubs section of the MSU website for more detailed information.